Collisions, injury, equipment breakage . . . but 4 races and a valid championship on day two of the 2014 Azores Formula Windsurfing World Championship now on at the Praia da Vitoria, Ilha Terceira.
Racing in the harbour, the course had a start mid way between windward and leeward gates. Competition began with an average 9-10 knots but by the end of the day it was anywhere between 8 and 18 knots. These gusty and shifty S-SW winds brought testing conditions, mentally and physically, for the competitors and race crew alike.
Ross Williams, GBR-83, ended the day the clear leader and most consistent sailor with two firsts and two seconds. Stephen Allen, AUS-0, took the bullet in race three and is second overall. Janis Preiss LAT-23 and Casper Bouman NED-52 have equal points but Gabriel Browne is only one point behind in fifth. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel ARG-3 had a big lead over the finish line in race four but is down in ninth overall.
This event continues until Saturday 3 May. Windguru suggests the wind strength will increase Thursday and Friday before switching direction and becoming lighter for the last day. This competition is wide open!
Results after 4 races
Formula Windsurfing.org (with live ticker)
Event Facebook page
Sean O'Brien reports from Azores
Photos by Eric Bellande
Event YouTube channel